Veganuary — Is It Still Going Strong?

Posted on Jan 20 2020 - 12:46pm by Editorial Staff

Over recent years, we seem to have become obsessed with setting ourselves goals and challenges. By this point, there are many well established monthly challenges that people across the country take part in. Dry January, Movember, and Veganuary have all proved huge successes.

2019 saw a record number of people partaking in Veganuary. A total of 250,000 participants got involved with the challenge. This trend has been growing exponentially over recent years and more and more people are being tempted by a plant-based lifestyle. Many environmental and animal activists have already made the dietary switch. We’ll look into why people do Veganuary, as well as our thoughts on whether we’ll see another rise in people signing up. Could it be a fad?

So, what’s the appeal?

Every year, more and more Britons make the switch to a plant-based diet. Statistics found that veganism will increase by 327 per cent by 2020, with one in five people being meat and dairy free. In 2019, 46 per cent of participants claimed to have signed up for health reasons, 34 per cent as a protest for the way animals are treated, and 12 per cent for climate issues. However, 2020’s focus is shifting to concerns of the environment, aiming to increase to 350,000 participants.

 The consumption of meat is currently one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gasses. So, to create a sustainable way of living to help save our planet, red meat consumption needs to be reduced by more than 50 per cent with a two-fold increase of fruit, nuts, pulses, and veg.

Since the beginning of the month, 65,000 people have already signed up. Although this is only 20 percent of the way to their goal, not everyone might register with the charity and may instead participate solely. Toni Vernelli, head of communications at Veganuary, said: “One of our main aims this year is to make sure no one goes it alone. Research from Kantar found that ten times as many people cut out animal products last January than had actually signed our pledge, meaning they had to navigate this new world of food choices without our free and friendly support. 

“This year we’re encouraging everyone who’s ‘doing Veganuary’ to sign up on our website so that we can help them have the best experience possible”.

Not convinced?

For people who aren’t ready to fully commit to a vegan diet, Flexitarianism is a great starting point. Some use it as a stepping stone to full blown veganism, whilst others see it as a simple an effective way to reduce their impact on the planet. Reduction of meat in any capacity is certainly beneficial, but it doesn’t happen overnight — Veganuary is the perfect opportunity for many to try out the vegan diet, and lead to possible dietary changes throughout the year. We don’t want to relapse now, do we?

Many of us love to turn a fresh page and set big aims for the start of the year. And like a Netflix trial, Veganuary director Wendy Matthews said that ‘in 2019, almost half of participants said that they’d continue eating vegan after completion of the challenge’. This is sustained by regular emails containing recipes and tips, as well as new vegan options available in-store or at chain restaurants.

Another way of looking at it however, is that complete restriction isn’t always beneficial. For example, a Psychology professor at the University of Minnesota, Traci Mann, is suspicious of month-long restrictions, arguing that when you deny yourself something, it makes you want it even more. Mann did no-sugar February and ate twice as much sugar in March. Will a month abstaining from meat and dairy products only make some realise how much they love it?

Veganism on the rise

The amount of vegan options available in shops and restaurants is on the rise. Sainsbury’s are at the frontline for vegan options, releasing their own vegan range of over 31 products in response to the soaring demand for plant-based alternatives after the festive period. Plant Pioneers are planned to be rolled out on New Year’s Day, including quarter pounders, mushroom hotdogs, fishless fingers and alternative-chicken nuggets, making it easier for those trying to make the transition. Similarly, takeaway service Just Eat, reported that demand for vegetarian options soared by 987 percent in 2017.

There’s no doubt about it — Veganuary is still on the rise. With Vegan restaurant options increasing by the day, and discount apps such as Stevie (who offer vegan restaurant discounts), as well as popular food delivery services, all catering towards plant-based diets it is easier than ever to make the switch. Have a browse and see if your favourite restaurants and takeaways have anything exciting to offer in the new year!

Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jan/31/veganuary-record-high-participants-plant-based

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2019/12/11/veganuary-wants-to-be-your-new-food-resolution-for-2020-and-beyond/https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/plant-based/sainsburys-launches-own-label-plant-pioneers-vegan-range/600089.article

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Editorial Staff at I2Mag is a team of subject experts.